ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, December 20, 1995 TAG: 9512200062
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: FREDERICKSBURG
SOURCE: Associated Press
Parents who police said were drunk when they led their three children across a busy highway were charged with felony child endangerment after a car plowed into the family, police said.
Dennis W. Leroux, 35, and his wife, Lorraine, 30, had been drinking before they and their children started across U.S. 1 about 8:20 p.m. Friday, Fredericksburg police spokesman Jim Shelhorse said.
``To lead those 6-, 7-, and 8-year-olds out onto a busy highway on a Friday night when it was dark, that's definitely endangerment,'' Shelhorse said.
The family was returning from a video rental store to the motel where they live, police said. The children told police they had not eaten all day, Shelhorse said.
Leroux spent most of the weekend in jail, but posted $4,500 bond Sunday. He could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Lorraine Leroux suffered a broken pelvis, fractured collarbone and a concussion. Her husband and 8-year-old son suffered broken legs. Two daughters, ages 6 and 7, had minor scrapes.
``They were very fortunate that the guy who hit them was going the speed limit and paying attention,'' Shelhorse said.
The driver, Christopher Holup, 18, was traveling about 35 mph. He stopped at the scene and was not charged.
``It was really disturbing to see people laying in the middle of the highway, especially children,'' said Shelhorse, who arrived on the scene moments after the family was struck.
Passers-by had already started helping the family when he arrived, Shelhorse said.
Both parents had been drinking beer before the accident, and Leroux was carrying a pint bottle of whiskey in his pocket, police said.
Each parent was charged with three counts of endangerment, each of which can carry up to 10 years in prison and a $100,000 fine. Prosecutors also could seek a lesser endangerment charge, which while still a felony carries one to five years in prison and a $2,500 fine.
Arraignment was scheduled for today in Fredericksburg Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Phillip Fines said.
Lorraine Leroux remained at Mary Washington Hospital on Tuesday. The hospital would not release her condition.
The boy's badly broken leg was operated on at the same hospital, Shelhorse said. He will require several weeks of therapy. The two girls did not require treatment and were sent to stay with grandparents, police said.
The parents did not offer any explanation for the accident, Shelhorse said.
LENGTH: Medium: 55 linesby CNB